In 1979, at the Geneva Motor Show, Ford unveiled the Tuareg Fiesta — not to be confused with Touareg — a prototype showing the “adventurous” streak of the first Fiesta.
It is impressive how this prototype anticipated the recipe, 40 years ago, for the crossover and compact SUV that populate our roads today — effectively utilitarians with plastic “armors” and increased ground height, emulating the SUVs they want to be.
The Fiesta Tuareg's suspension has been raised and reinforced, the tracks have been widened and the 26-inch Goodyear Terra off-road tires reveal their purpose. Ghia, a partner in this project, visually completed the set.
The visual appeal of this off-road Fiesta remains great. The playful-sports aspect continues to be one of the main attractions of these vehicles today.
The “armor” had, somewhat confusingly, a sporty undertone — huge front spoiler and pronounced skirts — but the rest screamed off-road: extended roof (more space); boot opening in two parts, as in the Range Rover; steel tubes instead of bumpers; roof bars and even a set of extra lights.
Despite its appearance, as with most small crossovers and SUVs today, the Ford Fiesta Tuareg has only two-wheel drive, limiting the adventures it could intrude on. Just like today. A conceptual predecessor of Fiesta Active and EcoSport?
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